Containers



Dee. 1, 1959 G, R. DEMPSTER ETAL CONTAINERS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed NOV. 15, 1956 INVENTOR5 1- man;

I ATTORNEYS Dec. 1, 1959 a. R. DEMPSTER 'A 1 CONTAINERS Filed Nov. 15, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 1NVENTOR- 66am- RDWP-SW,

1. may,

Dec. 1, 195 R. DEMPSTER ErAL confirms 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 15, 1956 w INVENTOR m a m m My "i z; gm 1/ Dec. 1, 1959 a. R. DEMPSTER ETAL 2,

CONTAINERS v I Filed Nov. 15, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 LINVENTORS ATTORNEY 2,915,331 .Patented .Dec. 1, 195 9 CONTAINERS "George R. Dempster and Arthur H. Morgan, Knoxville, Tenn.

Application November 15, 1956, :Serial No. 622,323 7 Claims. (Cl. 294- 69) This invention relates to improvements in containers of the type used with transporting and dumping equipment for receiving, containing and'hauling refuse or different types. An example of such transporting equipment is illustrated in'the patent of George R. Dempster, No. 2,281,183, granted April 28, 1942.

It has been the practice heretofore to use, with such transporting equipment, containers of the drop bottom type, having a lower section hinged with respect to the body of the container and capable of opening movement in a downward direction with respect thereto. Such a container has a crack between the drop bottom and the body of the container that allows for leakage of fluids from within the refuse *enclosed in the container, which is objectionable for "many "reasons.

Efforts have been made to increase the liquid holding properties of the container by p'roviding a sum in the bottom thereof, but "sucha sump 'is necessarily of limited capacity, and when the container is tilted forwardon the hoisting unit for transportation, an objectionable leakage often results therefrom.- Eflorts have been made to'correct this also, but thesehave required modification of'thc structure of the container, added expense and often results in an unsatisfactorystructu r'e.

One object of this invent-ion 'is' to overcome the ob- .jections mentioned above and to improve the construction of containers for this purpose.

Another object of theinvention is to provide a bottom dumping container which will enclose and trap effectively a large quantity of liquid in refuse enclosed within the container and will'allow complete and effective dumping of the refusewhen desired.

Still another object of the invention is to provide in a drop bottom container for a rotary motion of the bottom section thereof, so as to permit of complete and effective discharge of the contents while holding the container in an elevated position, the discharge opening being substantially throughout the entire area of the bottom of the container.

complete and 'eifective opening extending substantially throughout the area of the entire container.

This rotary bottom section has means connected therewith for attachment of a dumpingmember on thehoisting unit, whereby .thefrotary bottom is dumped automatically "as the container is lowered. A bail assembly preferablyserves this zpurpose,.being connected with the rotary bottom through -a "suitable cable or other flexible device, so as-to openz the bottom automatically by actuatiorr of the hois'ting means.

The rotary bottom:preferably.:is mounted off center.

Then, when it 'is opened bypovver .as described, it will return to its closed position automatically by gravity acting thereon. Means may be provided, if desired, to facilitate the closing movement ofthe "rotary bottom.

These embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a hoisting'unit, showing an improved type of container applied thereto, with the container being illustrated in raised and dumping positions thereon;

Fig. 2 is a similar view, showing the'con't'aiiner in raised and carrying positions;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of one 'form of container, detached, with the parts in dumping position; I

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the container shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is avieW similar to Fig. 3, with the rotary bottom closed;

Fig. 6 is a side "elevationshowing a modified form of container;

Fig. 7 is a cross section therethrfoug'h;

Fig. 8 is a side elevation, showing'another modified form of container; and

"Fig. 9 is an end elevation thereof.

The invention is shown applied to a hoisting unit .of the character illustrated generally in the aforesaid patent of George R. Dempster, No. 2,281,183. As described in said patent, the hoisting unit normally is mounted on a truck chassis, generally indicated by the numeral 1 and provided with the usual cab 2 for enclosing the operators compartment. A subframe 3 of the hoisting unit has a'power device mounted thereonfor raising "and lowering movement, being preferably in the form of a boom '4. The boom 4-ishinged'at 5 at the forward'end thereof to the sub'fraine 3 of the hoisting device, being capable of raising and lowering movements by hydraulic power devices 6.

A carriage is indicated generally a't 7, being mounted on the subframe 3 for movement forward and backward relative to the chassis frame 1, and having a rearward skid surface adapted to receive a' eontainer C thereagainst for raising and lowerin'g'movements'of "the container with respect to the "carriage '7. Power means is provided in the hoisting unit for moving the carriage 7 forward and backward with respect thereto, as described more in detail in the aforesaid Patent No. 2,821,183. Bucket rests 8 on the subfrarne 3 are adapted to support the container C in its carrying posit-ion, as illustrated'in dotted lines in Fig. 2. I

The container C is shown in Figs, 1 and 2 in "full lines, in raised positions where the container is supported by the hoisting means 4, a pivoted boom in this embodiment of the invention. Flexible devices 9 are connected with the arms of the boom 4, usually in the form -"of chains, cables or the like, and extend downwardly therefrom to lifting pins 10 on the respective opposite ends of the body of the container 0.

Upon operation of the boom 4 by the hydraulic power devices 6, the container is lifted from the ground to the full-line position shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and then, upon inward movement of the carriage 7, may be set down on the bucket rests 8, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. After transportation to the desired point of use, the container may be moved backward, and upon lowering of the body portion, the container is dumped, as is indicated in dotted lines in Fig. I. 7

One embodiment of the container is illustrated in detail in Figs; 3 to 5 of the drawings. This container cbmprises a be dyzportion with a rotary bottom which normally closes the body portion, but may be rotated with respect thereto for discharging the contents.

The body portion of the container is provided with opposite end walls 11 on which the lifting pins are mounted for supporting the container, as described above. Front and back walls are shown at 12 and 13, respectively. These parts 1113 enclose a substantially rectangular structure which is open at the bottom substantially throughout the area of the container. This body portion may also be open at the top, if desired, although a top enclosure is frequently provided, as indicated generally at 14. The top enclosure may have suitable access openings thereto, either at the end or in the top, with closure doors therefor, some of which are illustrated in Fig. 9.

The opposite end walls 11 are provided with outturned flanges 15 formed thereon or secured thereto as supporting feet for the body portion of the container, as well as for bracing and reinforcing said end walls at the bottom thereof. Reinforcing angles extending lengthwise of the container are shown at 16 and 17 at the lower edges of the front and rear walls 12 and 13. An angle bar 18 also extends lengthwise of the container between the opposite end walls 11 thereof, spaced somewhat from the adjacent end wall 13, as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 5, and has a baffle plate 19 extending upwardly and rearwardly from said angle bar 18 to the rear wall 13, as shown therein, throughout the length of said rear wall.

The rotary bottom is illustrated at 20 and is shown as semi-circular in cross section, with a diameter extending throughout the major portion of the width of the body portion and substantially throughout the lengththereof. The rotary bottom 20 is pivotally mounted or journaled for rotary movement on fulcrum pins 21 journaled in bearings 22 at opposite ends of the container, which bearings are mounted on the end Walls 11. It will be noted, by reference to Figs. 3 and 5, that the axis of the journal pins 21 is eccentric of the arc of curvature of the rotary bottom 20, toward one lateral side of the bottom. Thus, the rotary bottom may rotate on the axis of the fulcrum pins 21 to the respective positions shown in Figs. 3 and 5. By reason of the eccentric disposition of the pins, the rotary bottom will be returned to the position shown in Fig. 5 by gravity acting thereon, after being moved to the position shown in Fig. 3.

This return movement is facilitated by coiled springs 23 that are mounted within the body portion of the container in positions adjacent opposite ends thereof to engage the upper edge of the rotary bottom 20 when the latter is turned to its extreme position. Then, upon release of the rotary bottom 20, the springs 23 will start the bottom on its downward swinging movement.

Counterweights may be provided, if desired, on the rotary bottom 20, as indicated at 24. These counterweights may be in the form of blocks secured directly to the periphery of the rotary bottom 20 intermediate the length thereof, as indicated in Fig. 4. These counterweights will also aid in returning the bottom to its normal closed position, as illustrated in Fig. 5.

The opening movement of the bottom for discharging the contents of the container may be effected by suitable means attached to the bottom. In this embodiment, the means comprises a bail assembly, generally indicated at 25, which is movably mounted with respect to the body portion of the container and may be operated by an automatic hook usually provided on the hoisting unit 3-7.

The bail assembly 25 is shown as provided by a bail rod 26 extending transversely between a pair of upright bars 27 that are mounted for vertical sliding movement through guides 28. The guides 28 may be in the form of channels secured within the body portion of the container adjacent the front wall 12 thereof. These bars 27 can be moved vertically between the positions shown in Figs.

3 and 5.

One or more cables are shown at 29 connected at one end to an anchor 30 on the rotary bottom 20, preferably at the opposite side of the container from the bail assembly 25. One cable 29 is usually sufiicient, although more may be provided, if desired. The cable 29 extends from th Cir 4 anchor 30 beneath the lower surface of the rotary bottom 20 to a cable anchor 31 on the bail assembly 25. This cable anchor 31 is in the form of a rod extending trans versely beneath the lower end portions of the bars 27, as shown in Fig. 4, being fixed rigidly thereto.

Provisions may be made for increasing the extent of travel of the rotary bottom 20 for movement of the bail assembly 25. This may be accomplished by a 2-to-1 or 3-to-1 travel of the cable 29 with respect to the movement of the bail assembly 25. In the embodiment illustrated, such increased travel is provided by threading the cable 29 over fixed and traveling spools 32 and 33, respectively. The fixed spool 32 is mounted on the reinforcing bar 16 by suitable brackets. In like manner, the traveling spool 33 is mounted on the bars 27.

The container is normally supported on the ground, floor or other surface by the flanged portions 15 on thc end walls 11, alone or with the reinforcing bars 16-18 that extend lengthwise between the end walls. This con' tainer is capable of being handled by any standard type of hoisting unit, either that shown in Figs. 1 and 2 or of other suitable or desired form. In the form illustrated, the container is carried on the bucket rests 8 on the hoisting unit, being supported thereon by the angle bar 16 and the counterweights 24 on the rotary bottom. With other types of hoisting units, the container will be supported thereon, either by the portions mentioned or by the angle bars 17 and 18.

The container is picked up by the hoisting unit by attachment of the lifting chains 9 to the pins 10 on the end walls of the container and is raised along the carriage 7 to a desired elevated position for transportation to the desired point of dumping. As set forth in the aforesaid Patent No. 2,281,183, the hoisting unit is provided usually with a dumping hook pivotally mounted thereon for engagement with the bail assembly 25 when the container is raised to its elevated position. As the container is elevated on the carriage 7, the bail assembly 25 isengaged with the dumping hook on the hoisting unit, after which the elevating boom 4 is lowered to lower the entire body portion of the container. The bail assembly 25, being retained by the dumping hook on the hoisting unit, will be withdrawn from the body to the extreme position shown in Fig. 3 and yet will remain attached by the bail bars 27 within the guide channels 28. This withdrawing of the bail assembly 25 upward from the body of the container will cause the rotary bottom 20 to turn on the axis of the fulcrum pins 21 and thereby spill or dump the entire contents of the body out through the open bottom of the container.

The rotating movement of the rotary bottom 20 by an upward pull relatively on the bail assembly 25 is accomplished by the cable 29 attached to the lower ends of the bars 27 and passing over fixed and movable spools 32 and 33. No slack is left in the cable, but the latter should be of sufiicient length normally to close the entire area of the body portion of the container. The arrangement of the spools 32 and 33 is such as to provide for a 3-to-1 travel of the rotary bottom 20 with respect to the linear movement of the bail bars 27.

The closing or reverse rotation of the rotary bottom is accomplished by gravity. The location of the fulcrum slightly rearward of the center line of the rotary bottom 20 causes the latter to rotate eccentrically and always have the heaviest side of the bottom forward of the fulcrum. The counterweights 24 also increase the weight on the forward side. When the tension is released on the cable 29 by the bodily raising of the container relative to the carriage 7, the weight on the rotary bottom causes it to swing in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Figs. 3 and 5, to a closed position. The set of compression springs 23 mounted in each corner of the rear side of the container assures start of the reverse rotation instantaneously with the release of tension on the cable 29, The springs 23 are mounted in positions to :be-compressedfby: tbeuppermost: lip -of'sthe bottom when :opened by tensiononthecable. -Releaseiof'2this tension will vcauseeach: spring to expand aandithus assistthe over- :The rotary bottom '20 is closed at its opposite ends as indicated at vinFig. 4. Therefore, itformsa.;sump

of a liquidcapacitysubstantially'equalto the'volum'e' of therotary bottom. When turned toits dumping position, the rotary bottom will discharge-eifectively all the contents of the container, :includingitheliquid contained .within the sump. Where the top portion 14 of. the eonminor is substantially concentric with the rotary bottom in its elevated position, the latter may serve.also rtoeifect a discharge of the contents.

Another ernbo'diment of ithe invention is-illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7,, wherein the body portion .of the container andthe rotary bottom thereof are substantially in accordance with the structure 'described'iabove and areiillustrated by corresponding numerals.

In this embodiment, 'the'rotary'bottorn 20 is adapted 'tobe 'turnediby'a cable 34 which 'extendsfrom 'an anch'or 35 on"therotary bottom. 20 over a suitable guide 36 on the front wall 12. The cable 342extends from the guide 36 overa .sheave 37 to a fixed anchor 38 on the front wall 12.

In this embodiment, the bail assembly comprises a bail 39 slidably mounted vertically relative to the front wall 12 and having stops 40 for limiting the downward movement of the bail relative thereto. A housing and mounting plate is shown at 41 fixed to the bail 39 and supporting the sheave 37 so as to raise and lower the sheave relative to the front wall 12 of the container.

This raising and lowering movement of the bail assembly relative to the body portion of the container will cause a 2-to-1 travel of the rotary bottom 20 relative to the movement of the bail assembly between the positions illustrated in full lines and in dotted lines in Fig. 7. In other respects, the construction operates in substantially the same manner as described above.

Still another embodiment is illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9, with a variation in shape of the container. In this form, the rotary sump bottom 20 is of angular shape in cross section, and the fulcrum pins 21 are located directly over the lifting pins 10 on the end walls 11 of the container. Nevertheless, the rotary sump bottom 20 has the weight thereof so disposed as to effect a closing movement of the rotary bottom when it has been moved to an open position by gravity.

In this form, the opening movement is accomplished by a pair of cables 42 connected by anchor members 43 to the rearward edge portion of the rotary bottom and extending beneath the latter and around a guide rod 44 to a bail assembly, generally indicated at 45, to which these cables are anchored. The bail assembly 45 normally is seated in notches provided in brackets 46 secured to the front portion of the container. This bail assembly may be engaged by the dumping hook on the hoisting unit and thereby raised out of the brackets 46 upon the relative lowering movement of the container, thereby to swing the rotary bottom 20 on the axis of the .fulcrum pins 21 and to discharge the contents, as described above.

In this form, the top portion 14 of the container is illustrated as having openings in opposite ends thereof, normally covered by doors 47 which may be opened for gaining access to the interior of the container for filling. As noted above, similar openings with or without doors may be provided in other portions of the container.

It will be apparent from the foregoing explanation that the container herein set forth comprises a rotary bottom hinged to the body portion of the container within the lateral confines of the width of the bottom, and that it provides an enlarged sump for receiving and containing substantially all of the liquids that may be enclosed with .the contents. 1 'sbottom,'these liquids and the'contents of the'container are rdumped' rout and it is possible 'to open substantially the -'e'ntireibo'ttom 1 of the container for discharge of the pun "opening movement of "the -rotary contents. -.Thus 'a quick and effective-discharge is-accomplishedandthe con'tents-can be dumped at the point desired.

*Whil'efithe invention has been illustrated' and described in*certaincmbodiments, it is recognized that variations opening, -means journaling-said rotary-bottom at opposite 'ends thereof 1 on 1 the' body' portion, and means operatively connected 'with therot'ary botto'm for moving said bottom on 'the journaling means, said moving means including a flexible cable device connected with'said movable bottem and extending at least partially therebeneath approximately rnidw'ay between said journaling means.

2. Acontainerof thecharacterdescribed comprising a body portion having surroundingwalls with an opening 'inthebo'ttom thereof, a rotary bottom within said opening, means journaling'said-rotary bottom at opposite ends thereof o'nthe body .tportion, and'means operatively connected with the rotary bottom for moving said bottom on the journaling means, said moving means including a flexible cable device connected with said movable bottom and extending at least partially therebeneath approximately midway between said journaling means, said moving means including a flexible cable device connected with said rotary bottom adjacent one edge thereof and extend ing beneath the bottom substantially to the opposite side thereof.

3. A container of the character described comprising a body portion having surrounding walls with an opening in the bottom thereof, a rotary bottom within said opening, means journaling said rotary bottom at opposite ends thereof on the body portion, and means operatively connected with the rotary bottom for moving said bottom on the journaling means, said moving means including a flexible cable device connected with said movable bottom and extending at least partialy therebeneath approximately midway between said journaling means, said moving means including a flexible cable device connected with siad rotary bottom adjacent one edge thereof and extending beneath the bottom substantially to the opposite side thereof, and a bail assembly mounted on the body portion at the last-mentioned side of the rotary bottom and connected with the flexible cable device for moving said device to open the rotary bottom.

4. A container of the character described comprising a body portion having surrounding walls with an opening in the bottom thereof, a rotary bottom within said opening, means journaling said rotary bottom at opposite ends thereof on the body portion, and means operatively connected with the rotary bottom for moving said bottom on the journaling means, said moving means including a flexible cable device connected with said movable bottom and extending at least partially therebeneath approximately midway between said journaling means, said moving means including a flexible cable device connected with said rotary bottom adjacent one edge thereof and extending beneath the bottom substantially to the opposite side thereof, and a bail assembly slidably mounted on one of the walls of the body portion at the lastmentioned side of the rotary bottom and connected with the flexible cable device for moving said device to open the rotary bottom.

5. A container of the character described comprising a body portion having surrounding walls with an opening in the bottom thereof, a rotary bottom within said opening, means journaling said rotary bottom at opposite ends thereof on the body portion, and means operatively connected with the rotary bottom for moving said bottom on the journaling means, said moving means including a flexible cable device connected with said movable bottom and extending at least partially therebeneath approximately midway between said journaling means, said moving means including a flexible cable device connected with said rotary bottom adjacent one edge thereof and extending beneath the bottom substantialy to the opposite side thereof, and a cable guide mounted on one wall of the body portion at the last-mentioned side of the rotary bottom and having the cable device bent back upon itself, around said guide for power multiplying eifect.

6. A container of the character described comprising a body portion having surrounding walls with an opening in the bottom thereof, a rotary bottom within said opening, means journaling said rotary bottom at opposite ends thereof on the body portion, and means operatively connected with the rotary bottom for moving said bottom on the journaling means, said moving means including a flexible cable device connected with said rotary bottom adjacent one edge thereof and extending beneath the bottom substantially to the opposite side thereof, and a bail assembly mounted on the body portion at the lastmentioned side of the rotary bottom and connected with the flexible cable device for moving said device to open the rotary bottom.

7. A container of the character described comprising a body portion having surrounding walls with an opening in the bottom thereof, a rotary bottom at least partially covering said opening, means 'journaling said rotary bottom at opposite sides thereof'on the body portion, and means operatively connected with the rotary bottom for moving said bottom on the journaling means, said moving means including a flexible cable device connected with said rotary bottom at one side of an upright plane through the axis of rotary movement of the bottom and extending transversely of the bottom to the opposite side of said upright plane, and a bail assembly mounted on the body portion at the last-mentioned side of the rotary bottom and connected with the flexible cable device for moving said device to open the rotary bottom.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

